Fashion Council

February 03, 2015

Join FIDM Museum's Fashion Council for an exceptional afternoon at the FIDM Museum on February 23, 2015. The event will begin with a Royal Tea and a private Chamber Concert by the LA Opera. Dr. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell's presentation on 18th-century court fashion and society will offer insight into a fascinating era of fashion history. This opulent event will conclude with a private tour of two exhibitions: Opulent Art: 18th-Century Dress from the Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection and the 23rd Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition.

Tickets for this event are $100 per person. Purchase your ticket here.

January 27, 2015

FIDM Museum is thrilled to announce that LONDON will be the next destination for the 2015 Fashion Council Voyage!

Next summer, London will play host to several world-renowned fashion exhibitions, including the ground-breaking Alexander McQueen retrospective Savage Beauty at the Victoria & Albert Museum – making it the perfect time for a fashion history study tour around the city! Join Museum Curator Kevin Jones and Museum Associate Joanna Abijaoude for exclusive access and private tours of the city’s most prestigious costume collections. The trip will culminate with the Costume Society UK’s 2015 Symposium “The Power of Gold,” featuring keynote speakers Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator of the Historic Royal Palaces (and host of Tales from the Royal Wardrobe on BBC), and Claire Wilcox, Senior Curator of Fashion and Textiles at the V&A.

In between trips to royal palaces, we will enjoy the splendor of high tea at Claridge’s, shop the latest fashions on New Bond Street, dine at the famous Savoy Grill, and catch a performance at the Royal Opera House. Finally, we will bid farewell to our adventurous week with a champagne toast on the London Eye. As always, the trip includes a $500 tax-deductible donation to the Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection; funds raised from London Voyage 2015 will go toward adopting an object from the collection!

You absolutely won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the history and grandeur of London like you’ve never seen it before!

FIDM Museum & Galleries’ popular annual exhibition shines the spotlight on costumes that help bring memorable film characters to life. This year’s exhibition will feature over 100 costumes representing 20 of 2014’s most notable films in a variety of genres. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the exquisite designs and craftsmanship produced by today’s top costume designers.

Ladies and gentlemen living in 18th-century Europe dressed opulently. The designing, producing, and wearing of fashion was elevated to an art form. Luxurious silks, handmade laces, and precious metal trimmings were de rigueur for those aligned with royal courts and attending state theatres. In this exhibition are displayed lavish garments and accessories spanning the century, including a rare “Figaro” costume worn by an actor portraying the rascal servant in Beaumarchais’s famed opera trilogy. The stories of this character’s hijinks undermining his aristocratic employer sparked revolutionary tensions with real life rulers, who tried unsuccessfully to ban the popular productions.

October 07, 2014

Support Fashion Council’s efforts to keep The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection intact and at the FIDM Museum by “adopting” an item from the collection. Garments and accessories chosen for adoption from this exceptional collection are likely to be exhibited nationally and internationally. Patrons’ names are perpetually associated with their object and included in its credit line.

With over 1,000 objects, The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collections offers numerous opportunities for adoption. Many objects have already been adopted, including a formal gown worn by Queen Victoria at her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, and a c. 1907 Callot Soeurs evening gown worn by internationally famous beauty Consuelo Vanderbilt, the 9th Duchess of Marlborough. Among the objects up for adoption is this shimmering Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel evening dress of silk chiffon and netting hand-embroidered with thousands of black glass bugle beads.

For more information about this unique opportunity to support the FIDM Museum, contact the curatorial office: kjones@FIDMmuseum.org or 213.623.5821.

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (1883-1971) began her fashion career just before the outbreak of World War I, a time when the ideal female physique was undergoing a dramatic transformation. Curvaceous figures cinched with corsets were out—replaced by slim, boyish bodies. Chanel based her revolutionary haute couture on her own cutting-edge wardrobe. The clothing she sold appealed to newly active, independent women like herself.

This evening dress features thousands of bugle beads hand-embroidered on silk chiffon and netting in Chanel’s favorite color: black. Being sleeveless and short-hemmed, it was meant to reveal a woman’s toned and suntanned body. A lengthy beaded tassel hangs to one side; it imparted a sense of movement with the wearer’s every step or sway. On October 1, 1926, American Vogue included a drawing of a similar short black dress designed by Chanel with the caption: “Here is a Ford signed ‘Chanel.’” In aligning her design with the best-selling automobile, Vogue imparted a sense of reliability and functionality to the deluxe style. This evening dress is one of the earliest extant examples of Chanel’s classic “Little Black Dress,” a variation of which she included in every subsequent collection and a staple of every modern woman’s wardrobe to this day.

September 16, 2014

Thanks to everyone who attended the 3rd Annual FABULOUS! Soirée! As promised, it was an amazing evening benefiting the FIDM Museum Fashion Council's campaign for acquisition of The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection. Tickets sold out quickly and we had over 300 guests in attendance.

We couldn't have asked for a better setting: the Neiman Marcus-Bloomingdale's Courtyard at Fashion Island. With a fashion show of resort wear inspired by Celebrity Cruises' Modern Luxury cruise line, a runway show featuring cocktail and evening looks from Fashion Island boutiques, an auction, and a raffle, the evening was a true celebration of fashion. There was also a wonderful array of nibbles and beverages, including a tequila bar and a non-alcoholic lemonade bar. Many thanks to Fashion Council for their tireless work orchestrating this event. We also thank our generous sponsors, Fashion Island and Celebrity Cruises, for helping make our gala event a success.

For those of you who couldn't attend, here's a glimpse of what transpired. Look forward to next year's gala, as Fashion Council will soon begin planning for 2015. Hope you'll be able to join us next year!

Four designers participated in the Celebrity Cruises Design Challenge and were scored by a panel of judges that included local fashion experts and Celebrity Cruises executives. The theme of the Design Challenge was Modern Luxury. FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Alumnus, Paul Hernandez, was named the winner and was presented with a check for $2,000. His winning design is pictured above. Congratulations Paul!

August 16, 2014

FIDM Museum Fashion Council invites you to an event benefiting the FIDM Museum. This year will be the most FABULOUS! Soirée yet! Held at glamorous Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA, our generous sponsors include Celebrity Cruises. Expect wonderful surprises throughout the evening.

Pre-Show Party: 5pmCelebrity Cruises treats you to a taste of Modern Luxury. Enjoy the Wine Lounge and fare from Fashion Island restaurants.

June 23, 2014

Join FIDM Museum Curators Kevin Jones and Christina Johnson on a fabulous Fashion Council trip to Italy! From November 14-23, 2014, they will lead a trip to Venice and Florence. While in Florence, participants will attend the Costume Colloquium IV: Colors in Fashion. Please contact Christina Johnson for detailed itinerary: cjohnson@FIDMmuseum.org.

The journey begins in Venice, where we’ll explore the artistic heritage of this fascinating city. Outings will include a city tour and visits to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Burano Lace Museum, and Fortuny Museum. Next, we’ll travel to Florence for another private city tour, shopping, more museums and Costume Colloquium IV: Colors in Fashion. This biannual conference unites the world’s top fashion scholars in exploring a particular topic. FIDM Museum Curator Kevin Jones will present his paper, A Colony of Colors: The Iconic Playboy Bunny.

All Colloquium participants will join excursions to the Emilio Pucci Archive, the Palazzo Pitti, and the Stibbert Museum, among other institutions. Receptions will provide opportunities for making new fashion-loving friends, and partaking in delectable Italian cuisine! We are going to have a great time, and raise funds for The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection, too!

* Airfare is additional, to be arranged by participant. We will provide a suggested flight. * Participation includes a $500 tax-deductible donation to the Larson Project. * Participation is capped at 12 people. Cost will not increase, but may decrease with full capacity. * Participants must register by July 15, 2014.

April 30, 2014

The FIDM Museum is delighted to announce a new campaign to raise funds for purchase of The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection, a major archive of historically important women’s, men’s, and children’s fashions, dating from 1600 to 1950. Support Fashion Council's efforts to keep The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection intact and at the FIDM Museum by adopting an item from the collection. Gathered over a fifty-year period by Los Angeles-based dress historian Helen Larson, this exceptional collection features garments associated with England’s Queens Caroline, Alexandra, Mary, and Victoria; Czarina Marie of Russia; and Empress Eugénie of France. Major haute couture designers include Worth, Doucet, Pingat, Fortuny, Poiret, Vionnet, and Chanel.

Garments and accessories available for adoption are likely to be exhibited nationally and internationally. Patrons’ names are perpetually associated with their object and included in its credit line. Adopt a garment from your favorite fashion era, or honor a friend or family member by adopting an object in their name.

With 1,100 objects, The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collections offers numerous opportunities for adoption. Many objects have already been adopted, including a formal gown worn by Queen Victoria at her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, and a c. 1907 Callot Soeurs evening gown worn by internationally famous beauty Consuelo Vanderbilt, the 9th Duchess of Marlborough. For more information about this unique, tax-deductible opportunity, contact the FIDM Museum curatorial office: kjones@FIDMmuseum.org or 213.623.5821.

Adoption Spotlight: Miser’s Purse

Nineteenth-century purses were often more decorative than practical. This micro-beaded example exhibits a jubilant beaded floral pattern similar in design to Victorian carpet and wallpaper patterns. Petite double pouch purses were colloquially termed “miser bags” because it was difficult to remove money from the small slit at center once it was tucked inside. Available for adoption at $1,500.

October 09, 2013

On Saturday, October 5, friends of the FIDM Museum gathered at Fashion Island for a gala evening to benefit the FIDM Museum & Galleries and The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection Acquisition
Campaign. The grand finale of Style Week OC, this event was organized by the FIDM Museum Fashion Council, and attended by over 300 people. On arrival, guests were greeted by strolling violinists and an array of refreshing beverages. Two fashion shows, the Cadillac Couture Design Competition and the 2013 DEBUT Runway
Show, showcased the creativity of FIDM's fashion design students. At the after party, hosted by Cadillac, guests enjoyed a martini bar and the stylish sounds of a jazz band.

Attendees competed for the opportunity to adopt objects from The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection. Four pairs of elegant 1920s evening shoes were adopted via auction, while the opportunity to adopt a hat worn by Queen Victoria was decided by raffle. These objects will remain at the FIDM Museum, but the name of the adopters will be published each time these historic objects are exhibited.

Thanks to each and every guest who attended the FABULOUS! Soirée! It was truly a fabulous and successful evening. Fashion Council is already hard at work planning next year's event schedule; look forward to many more wonderful events hosted by this talented group. We'll keep you up to date via our blog, so stay tuned for more information! In the meantime, enjoy these images from the FABULOUS! Soirée.